Blumhouse’s Happy Death Day Teaser; Full Trailer on Wednesday

Blumhouse Productions has released a teaser online for its new horror film Happy Death Day, with the full trailer to follow in two days’ time.

Blumhouse is the film and television production company, that was founded by Jason Blum. It’s built a sturdy reputation (as well as large profits) on the backs of successful lower-budget horror films such as Paranormal Activity, Sinister, and Insidious. 2017 has been a particularly impressive year for the company so far, with two massive critical and commercial hits in the shape of Split and Get Out. Happy Death Day itself is the new title for a supernatural thriller that was once known as Half Past Death. The movie is scheduled to be the studio’s spooky Halloween offering in October, after the release date for Insidious: Chapter 4 was moved back.

The synopsis of the film resembles a horror version of Groundhog Day, with a young college student re-living the day of her death, over and over again until she figures out who is trying to kill her and why. The student is played by Jessica Rothe (La La Land) and she can be seen experiencing her “first death” in the brief footage on the teaser (via Universal Pictures). Waking in a dazed state and in party clothes, she seems confused about her surroundings and surprised by the fact that it’s her birthday (again). Added to this is a frantic scene where a creepy doll-masked figure attacks her viciously with a knife, and you now have the perfect ingredients for a genuine slasher movie before the birthday cake (iced with “Happy Death Day“) is shown. A title card points to the intriguing fact that this is “Death #1”.

There’s not a lot to go on here, and (apart from the possible multiple death angle) it doesn’t look that different from other slasher films of this type. But hopefully the full trailer on Wednesday will give more of a flavor as to the time-loop situation. The film is directed by Christopher Landon (Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones, Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse), who also co-wrote the story along with Scott Lobdell. Landon also wrote the screenplays for the other Paranormal Activity sequels. It’s difficult to judge too much from what can be seen so far, but the idea of the looped murder-mystery is very promising, and Blumhouse are on something of a roll at the moment.

One thing that might count against the film (apart from that new title) is that October 2017 looks to be a crowded genre schedule at the moment. Coming out at almost the same time will be the new psychological thriller-horror film mother! from Darren Aronofsky. Saw: Legacy will also be in distribution the week after, as will the new Cloverfield movie, giving horror movie fans a wider choice for a seasonal night out. Release dates can change in an instant, of course. In the meantime, Screen Rant will watch out for the full trailer and we hope that Happy Death Day continues the enviable reputation that Blumhouse has for quality horror this year.